Relic Weapons are sixteen mysterious, high-damage, low-delay weapons obtained through participating in various runs into Dynamis. Admittedly, "Relic Weapon" is sort of a catch-all term; a Relic Horn and a Relic Shield also exist.

Given enough time and money, they can be upgraded into forms known to be the most powerful weapons of each type in the game. This upgrade process is most often very lengthy, and extremely expensive for the typical player. It requires a large amount of Ancient Currency, various crafted items (some requiring a high-level crafter), and certain Rare/Ex items only obtainable in Dynamis: Beaucedine and Dynamis: Xarcabard. This is such a serious and intense process that we have devoted an entire section below to what it really means to undertake this task.

The 5 Stages

Each base Relic Weapon can be upgraded four times before Trial of the Magians. Three of these four upgrades are handled by a GoblinNPC named Switchstix, who can be found in Castle Zvahl Baileys. Each of these three upgrades requires that you simultaneously trade him your current-stage Relic Weapon along with whatever materials he asks for. Switchstix will then ask for his commission in Ancient Currency; this is a separate trade, and the upgrade process will not begin until he receives it. Your Relic Weapon and materials cannot be returned once traded. Furthermore, no other upgrades can be performed until the Ancient Currency commission has been traded to Switchstix. Time needed for the upgrade process varies by stage; when the waiting period is over, speak to Switchstix again to obtain your upgraded Relic Weapon. The specifics of this process can be found below.

All Relic Weapons, in all stages and forms, are Level 75. The stages of each Relic Weapon can be generally described as follows:

First Stage

This is the "Base" weapon, how it is when you first obtain it. When in this stage, the weapon is nothing more than a display piece, and has little to no practical value. Most base Relic Weapons are 1 Damage and 999 Delay; the Relic Shield has 1 Defense; and the Relic Horn has no effect on songs.

Second Stage

A portion of the "actual" stats for the weapon become available, but only when used in Dynamis. Most second-stage weapons also obtain a Dynamis-specific elemental resistance stat.

Third Stage

The Dynamis-only stats that appeared during the second stage now become available outside of Dynamis, while stats within Dynamis are nudged slightly further towards their final values. Elemental resistance stats will raise slightly, but remain Dynamis-specific.

Fourth Stage

The weapon's base stats are now "locked in" for all areas, and are close to their final values (though there are no longer any Dynamis-specific elemental resistance stats). The weapon's Relic weapon skill becomes available at this stage, but only in Dynamis areas. Each weapon skill grants you with a brief Additional Effect (described by the help text displayed when selecting the weapon skill in the menu) after its use. The duration of this effect varies with TP.

Fifth Stage

This is the final stage. Stats are all at full. Additional stats are added. The Relic Weapon Skill is available for all areas. At this stage, the Relic Weapon is complete, and can only be upgraded further via Trial of the Magians.

How to Upgrade

Listed below are all the items and Ancient Currency fees necessary to upgrade each stage of each Relic Weapon. All weapons follow the same basic process. There is a certain amount of waiting to do for some steps, and some hardcore farming for others. This is the process, though:

Stage 1 > Stage 2

Wait Time: After one Midnight in Japan. (UTC/GMT +9) You will need your base Relic Weapon, three specific items (these are crafted items that can typically be obtained from Dynamis, crafted from materials found in Dynamis, or purchased with Ancient Currency), and 3 to 5 100-unit pieces of a specific type of Ancient Currency for the commission. Once you have all the required items, speak to Switchstix in Castle Zvahl Baileys at I-8 (where you first enter). Trade him the weapon and the three items. Speak to him again, and he will ask for the payment fee. Trade him the Ancient Currency. After this, wait 1 Earth day (JP midnight) and speak to him again to receive your Stage 2 Relic Weapon.

Stage 2 > Stage 3

Wait Time: 1 Earth-WeekThis time, Switchstix will want your stage 2 Relic Weapon and three different weapons of the same type as the one you are upgrading, as well as an Ancient Currency fee of 12 to 16 100-unit pieces. Gather up all the items, and head out to speak to him again. Trade him the 2nd stage Relic Weapon and the other three weapons. Speak to him again, and he will ask for the payment fee. Trade him the Ancient Currency and wait 1 real-life week. Speak to him again to receive your Stage 3 Relic Weapon.

Stage 3 > Stage 4

Wait Time: 82 earth hours (3 days, 10 hours)Once you've obtained the appropriate Attestation from the ShadowNMs in Dynamis: Beaucedine, head out to see your buddy Switchstix again. Trade him the 3rd stage Relic Weapon and the Attestation. Speak to him again, and he will ask for the payment fee of somewhere between 60 and 62 100-unit pieces. Trade him the Ancient Currency and wait 82 earth hours. Speak to him again to receive your Stage 4 Relic Weapon.